A Most Happy List of Books!

I call this a most happy list because it's a list of books that came through contests I helped host and got agents or just went straight to getting publishing deals! So for your inspiration for today, I wanted to show this list again and say, "Look! This stuff happens!"

Perhaps someday you'll have a book on this list! 

And here is the list I've called from Contest to Contract.  It has sixteen books and growing! So please do let me know if you've been in a contest and now have a book on Goodreads that I can add to the list.

In related happiness, I also created a list to showcase the books of our mentors. Some of them came from the contests, though the vast majority came from querying. Please take a look at this list also of Writers who Help Writers. If you see something that looks fun to read, you'll also be support a writer who supports you! 

Contest Goodreads Lists

More and more books are being published for entries that were once in one of my many contests. There's the adorable MG from last year's Sun vs Snow, Karma Khullar's Mustache. I just heard of a two book deal for an entry from last summer's Query Kombat. That one isn't even announced yet. It's getting hard to keep track. Isn't that wonderful!

So I made a handy-dandy list! If you were in Query Kombat, New Agent, Sun versus Snow, Nightmare on Query Street or Picture Book Party and now have a publishing deal for that book, please add your book to the Goodreads' list!

From Contest to Contract

You didn't have to get your agent from the contest. Maybe your agent came afterward from a query. But once a part of the family, always a part of the family! You also don't need to have been picked by me. If any of the other hosts picked your entry--this is for you also.

Please spread the word to your friends. I'm sure you have better memories than I do. I don't want to miss anyone!

And honor our former contestants by picking up copies of their books!

Bonus for the mentors and judges:

The mentors and judges work so hard to help out with the contests. They deserve a list too! If you were a judge or mentor for any of my contests, please add your books to this list. And you know what I'm asking next--help out the writers who give back by buying their books!

Writers Who Help Writers 

So don't be shy, add your books to our lists if you qualify! And join the contest fun so you might be the next person on the list!

UPDATE: I guess authors can't add their own books to lists anymore. Nudge me on twitter and I'll add your books. 

Keeping Track of Contest Friends

So as the years have gone by (three) since I started hosting contests, I've begun to lose track of things. In the beginning, I kept lists on index cards of who I picked for contests. Gradually I used a notebook as a more permanent way to keep track. When someone gets an agent, I can circle their entry and write AGENT in big letters with lots of !!!!

But Max Wirestone asked about book deals for entries that have been featured in a contest. I really had no idea. I mean, I remember some. Yet, other writers might not have let me know past getting an agent. 

So he came up with the idea of a Goodreads list for books that came through a contest where I was a co-host. I made one!

Having your book on a Goodreads list is exciting. But this list is the most joyous list ever! I had a tiny hand in helping to push all these books to the finish line! How awesome is that! 

And best of all, there are eight books already! With several more that aren't on Goodreads yet! Everyone who supported the contests helped with that!

I want to include my other co-hosts with this. A big thanks to Amy, Mike, Sharon, and SC for doing this journey with me. And especially to Mike for getting me started. Please claim a big part of this. 

If your book was in one of my contests (even if I didn't pick you for my team and even if your agent didn't directly result from the contest) please add your book to the FROM CONTEST TO CONTRACT list. This includes all my picture book friends! I've added a few titles, but I'm sure there may be more.

Also, this is a such a great idea, that I decided the mentors and judges who help out in the contests need one, too! So I made another list just for you! Please enter your books in the WRITERS WHO HELP WRITERS list. Then in all my future contest, I can direct people to your books! Isn't that fabulous!

There have been so many mentors and judges that I won't be able to track down your books to put on this list. I'll have to rely on you doing it for me. Please don't be shy. Go at it!

I'll need your help to spread the word. Please poke your friends and former mentors and judges. Let everyone who might have a book know.

What do you think? I hope this grows and grows and becomes a huge deal. Of all the friendships and fun to come from contests, this might just be the very best thing of all!